Nine Singaporeans among missing in Nepal floods: Tourism board

SINGAPORE: Nine Singaporeans were among hundreds of people reported missing in Nepal on Thursday (Aug 27), following devastating flooding that hit the country's border with Tibet a day earlier.

In an update on its website, the Nepal Tourism Board said nine Singaporeans were among those missing in Rasuwa district as of noon on Thursday.

The figure comes as rescuers continued to search for those missing after a tsunami-like wall of water and mud swept through villages and towns along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers on Wednesday.

Rasuwa in northern Nepal was the first district hit, but deaths were reported in seven districts as floodwaters surged more than 160km south to Chitwan, near the Indian border.

Earlier on Thursday, AFP reported that two Singaporeans were among a tour group of 47 people missing in Nepal. 

Most of the group were staying in the flood-hit Rasuwagadhi area, while several others were travelling into the town, Sanket Pandey, managing director of hiking company Himalayan Glacier.

The group comprised 15 Australians, 10 Canadians, nine Nepalese, eight Americans, two Britons, two Singaporeans and one Russian-American dual citizen, Sanket Pandey said.

"At this time they are still missing," Pandey told AFP. "Our team are checking hospitals where victims are coming in."

Seven Nepali guides were also among those in the missing group.

Separately, another two Singaporeans travelling with Himalayan Trekkers were caught in the affected area.

The company said the group comprised 26 travellers, including Singaporeans and Malaysians, as well as five Nepali guides, one Tibetan guide and one driver.

"We haven't been able to get in touch with anyone," a company spokesperson told CNA.

Himalayan Trekkers said its last contact with one of its Nepali guides was at about 8am local time on Wednesday.

"As far as we know, his last message to a family member was at approximately 8.34am Nepal time, when he said that they were crossing the border," the spokesperson said. Minutes later, local authorities informed the company that the flood had reached the border crossing area.

Himalayan Trekkers said it made arrangements for a helicopter to conduct aerial surveillance.

"Unfortunately, from the air, the area appeared to be covered almost entirely by sand and mud. Much of the infrastructure has been destroyed, and there was very little visible that could help locate or identify the group," the spokesperson said.

"We are holding on to hope and doing everything we can," the company said in a separate Instagram post.

Himalayan Glacier's founder, Sagar Pandey, who is also the president of trekking agencies in Nepal, flew over the affected area in a helicopter but was unable to land.

Among the 15 Australians missing are two teenage boys, he said.

CNA has contacted the hiking companies for more information.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a travel notice on Thursday, advising Singaporeans in Nepal to "exercise a high degree of caution, remain vigilant, monitor local news and follow the instructions of local authorities".

"Singaporeans should avoid flood-affected areas (Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan) and stay away from rivers, riverbanks, bridges and low-lying areas," the ministry added.

It also said that Singaporeans travelling to or living in Nepal are strongly encouraged to eRegister with MFA, adding that Singaporeans in Nepal who require consular assistance should contact the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office.